Practice extinguishing flames - practice makes perfect
Anne Klasing and her fellow residents at Shell Point condominiums in Holmes Beach are learning how to put out a fire with help from West Manatee Fire and Rescue District Inspector Tom Soleau. WMFR firefighters Chris O'Kelly and Aaron Yax are assisting with the fire. The condo residents were coached in the proper use of fire extinguishers, including a practice session putting out flames Tuesday. Islander Photo: J.L. RobertsonClick image to enlarge

In the movie "Groundhog Day," Bill Murray is trapped in a time warp. He must continually relive the worst day of his life - Feb. 2 - over and over, doomed to meeting the same people, hearing the same conversation and making the same mistakes until he and Andie MacDowell fall in love, they wake up the next morning - Feb. 3 - the spell is ended and they live happily ever after.

An "unprecedented number of beaches" which lost sand after an "unprecedented number of hurricanes" will result in about $180 million in beach renourishment dollars to Florida shores, including Anna Maria Island, according to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers official.

The reorganized Tidemark hotel/condominium/marina project in Holmes Beach will have to negotiate a new lease for the marina basin from the city commission. And this time around, "$100 a year" won't be enough, said City Commissioner Roger Lutz.

The emergency beach renourishment project for Anna Maria Island planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should begin in June, Manatee County Ecosystems Manager Charlie Hunsicker told the Holmes Beach City Commission April 12.